31To James Madison from William Jones, [ca. 14 November 1814] (Madison Papers)
The President will perceive that Com Chauncey is of opinion that two Ships of the line and one frigate can be built at Sacketts Harbour in due time and that the enemy Cannot prepare an equal force. It will also be observed that he agrees with me in the expediency of seizing a port, on the St Laurence near Hamilton in order to intercept supplies going to Kingston and I still question the policy...
32To James Madison from William Jones, 14 August 1813 (Madison Papers)
The enclosed extracts and copies from Com Chauncey & Captn Perrys letters and from the private letters of General Williams to the Secretary of War will convey to you the state of things on the Lakes. The prospect is propitious whatever may be the result. The presence of the British fleet on the Lake is I take it a desperate (but successful) effort to relieve the forces at the head of the Lake...
33To James Madison from William Jones, 21 February 1811 (Madison Papers)
As information from respectable private sources may in the absence of Official intelligence serve to throw some light upon the equivocal policy of france in her professed cessation from the violation of our neutral commerce, I take the liberty of enclosing an extract from a letter recd by a gentleman in this city, by the Osmin lately arrived here from Rochelle, which letter was not delivered...
34To James Madison from William Jones, 8 June 1813 (Madison Papers)
I enclose for your perusal the official letters of Commodore Chauncey 27, 28, 29. June which the bearer will take to the printers after you have perused them if you think proper. I also enclose a letter from Com Bainbridge covering Commodore Brooke Challenge which I am happy Captain Laurence did not receive as the post mark is the day after the Battle. I also enclose Com. Decaturs letter. The...
35To James Madison from William Jones, [ca. 31 July 1814] (Madison Papers)
Blocks and Iron work were under his entire direction with ample means of procuring. In Com. C. letter of the 8th July he mentions some little Iron work wanting for the Mohawk but does not intimate any detention on that account. The only cause of delay which then appeard arose from the necessity of changing the Officers and crews on account of Captain Smiths absence. This with some final...
36To James Madison from William Jones, 27 February 1817 (Madison Papers)
I owe you an apology for so long detaining the enclosed letter. You are probably informed that Mr Corbin is a Director of the Office of the Bank of the United States at Richmond which will go into operation as soon as the necessary preparations can be made. You are now my dear sir about to retire from an arduous but glorious carreer followed by the grateful recollections of a free and virtuous...
37To James Madison from William Jones, 18 June 1814 (Madison Papers)
The importance of the matter and of the observations contained in the enclosed letter compel me to submit it to your perusal though there is one suggestion which the writer would not readily forgive me for exposing. The subject connected with that suggestion is so exceedingly momentous as to justify its exhibition to the person best qualified to appreciate its value and the fitness of the...
38To James Madison from William Jones, 1 January 1814 (Madison Papers)
The enclosed letters display our military force in the NW in wretched plight; but the judicious arrangements of Captain Elliott have considerable abated my anxiety for the safety of the fleet at Erie but it is extremely desirable that some troops should be ordered to Erie and put in Bay. Unless the latter place is speedily reinforced I have no doubt an attempt will be made and the result will...
39To James Madison from William Jones, 16 December 1813 (Madison Papers)
In compliance with the resolution of the Senate of the 13th. instant, I have the honor to state, That the amount of duties accruing on goods, wares and merchandise imported into the United States from the 1st. day of July 1812 to the 31st. day of December of the same year, for which period the accounts of the Collectors of the Customs are settled, was Ds. 9,869,199.31. And the amount of...
40To James Madison from William Jones, [ca. 8 November 1813] (Madison Papers)
A vacancy having occurred by the death of the late Naval Officer for the port of Philad. permit me to recommend for that place an old and valued friend, Mr Saml Clarke of Philada. whose honor integrity & Sound republican principles I have tested by the closest connexion from the year 1781 (when we were captured in the same vessel after a severe action and became tenants of the same prison...
41To James Madison from William Jones, 7 February 1814 (Madison Papers)
In conformity with the resolution of the House of Representatives of the 30th. of July 1813. copies have been prepared at the Treasury, of the accounts in detail of the different ministers plenipotentiary, envoys extraordinary, secretaries of legation, and consuls appointed under the authority of the United States from the commencement of the present government: also, accounts of the expenses...
42To James Madison from William Jones, 15 August 1814 (Madison Papers)
When I came into office the Hospital establishment at Charleston So C. was on Shore maintained at a very considerable expence and though under the care of an excellent Physician Doctor Logan of the Navy, diseases were protracted or terminated mortally in a great many cases. Knowing the climate of S.C from some years residence at Charleston I was satisfied that a Hospital ship moored in the...
43To James Madison from William Jones, [ca. 26 August] 1813 (Madison Papers)
Extract from a letter from Fort George U. C. Augt. 17. 1813 By a despatch last night at Taptoo we learn that the enemys fleet had come to Just off the Creek (12 mile Creek) handed his Sails & was preparing to land, when Com. Chauncy’s fleet appeared in Sight & was, when the express left, in chase of the Enemy. Unfortunately the weather is this day very boisterous & therefore the Comre. will...
44To James Madison from William Jones, 1 August 1814 (Madison Papers)
The enclosed is from Doctor Buchanan of the Navy Com Chaunceys Physician. Chauncey has doubtless been very ill and I suppose his officers were unwilling to commun[i]cate his case to the Department until he was convalescent. Shall I countermand Decaturs order or let him proceed for fear of a relapse? Chauncey however cannot take umbrage at the order as it is framed with the strictest regard to...
45To James Madison from William Jones, 11 February 1811 (Madison Papers)
The enclosed circular is I believe the only one of the kind received here this day and as none of our papers have published it although it was here before noon, I deemed it of some importance to put it in your possession as soon as possible. I know not whether the translation be correct, but it appears to me necessary to enclose in a parenthesis the words “the vessels taken or detained before...
46To James Madison from William Jones, 27 March 1813 (Madison Papers)
You will perceive by the enclosed letters that the note you sent for my perusal was written under a mistaken idea that the firing of the British Barges on the schooners captured in the mouth of James River was an action between our Gun Boats & the enemy Frigate. I am satisfied that the object of an attempt to ascend James River is solely with a view to draw the Gun Boats from Norfolk. I shall...
47To James Madison from William Jones, 25 September 1814 (Madison Papers)
The papers numbered 1 @ 5 and that marked A. herewith enclosed were received from Com. Decatur by the last mail together with his letter to the Depmt. dated the 22d Inst which is also respectfully submitted; will fully explain the nature of the offensive incident which has produced his remonstrance and appeal to your decision. I view with extreme regret this first inroad upon the harmony and...
48To James Madison from William Jones, 11 September 1814 (Madison Papers)
The circumstances connected with my private affairs which induced me to explain to you on the 25th. April last the necessity I should be under of resigning the honorable trust which I hold, shortly after the ensuing meeting of Congress, having acquired irresistable strength by the lapse of time, I now respectfully tender to you my resignation of the office of Secretary of the Navy, the...
49To James Madison from William Jones, 12 January 1814 (Madison Papers)
In conformity with the Resolution of the Senate on the 3d. Instant I have now the honor to enclose an account of the Blankets and other woolen goods provided for the Navy during the last year as far as it can be ascertained from the accounts rendered, but as those accounts do not exhibit the quantity remaining on hand, and as the consumption fluctuates with the voluntary demand of the Seamen,...
50To James Madison from William Jones, 24 July 1813 (Madison Papers)
My duty to the Nation, solicitude for the prosperity of your administration, for yourself a sincere personal regard, and anxiety for my own reputation; demand of me to state to you frankly my conviction of the absolute impracticability of my discharging the high and responsible trust of acting Secretary of the Treasury combined with the duties of Secretary of the Navy. The accumated [ sic ]...
51To James Madison from William Jones, 10 February 1813 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to lay before You, the proceedings of a Court Martial, held at Fort Norfolk, on the 1. aug: 1812—with the sentence of Death, pronounced by said Court, upon George Allen, a private of marines. And a reference to a similar sentence, by another Court Martial upon … Potts a private of Marines the proceedings of which, are not to be found, either in the War or Navy Departments; but...
52To James Madison from William Jones, 10 September 1813 (Madison Papers)
I have received a letter from Captain Allen commander of the U.S. Brig Argus dated L’Orient 12 June saying that he had arrived safe there in a passage of 23 days and had captured the British Schooner Salamanca. Accept my congratulations upon the pleasing event of the safe arrival of our friend Mr Crawford. It appears the armistice had been protracted to the middle of August & as that period...
53To James Madison from William Jones, [ca. 16 August] 1813 (Madison Papers)
I enclose for your information copy of a letter from Mr Anderson Navy Store keeper New York who has been with Commodore Chauncey from the commencement of the Lake service. He is a judicious active man whose services have been very important and being in Chaunceys confidence he has a perfect knowledge of the past and present state of things in that quarter. I am very respectfully Your Obdt....
54To James Madison from William Jones, 22 August 1812 (Madison Papers)
Upon a presumption that my letter of July 22d must have miscarried I now do myself the honor to forward you a Copy thereof, observing to your Excellency that a supply of Arms &c &c as a part for which an Annual appropriation was made by Act of Congress April 2d 1808 is highly necessary, the reception of which would be highly gratifying to the State & very pleasing to me. I have the honor to be...
55To James Madison from William Jones, 29 June 1814 (Madison Papers)
The defenceless condition of this State & the imminent & increasing danger of hostile attack induced the General Assembly at their late Session in this month to direct me again to press these subjects upon your consideration, conformably to their request the Council of War have appointed Col. Nathaniel Searle Junr (whom I beg leave to introduce to your notice) a special messenger to present to...
56To James Madison from William Jones, 21 September 1813 (Madison Papers)
The enclosed Handbill will inform you of a Naval Victory than which nothing ever was more complete glorious and important in the effects which it must inevitably produce. It appears that their new Ship must have been among the number. Tomorrow I trust will give us a glorious account from Chauncey the accounts thus far warrant the belief. Accept my sincere congratulations. Genl Armstrong...
57To James Madison from William Jones, 1 April 1813 (Madison Papers)
If water alone is their object they can get it with facility in the Potowmac without hazard, but I think the greater probability is that being correctly informed of the state of preparation of our ships at New york they may have gone to the Hook and to the East end of the sound in order to watch their movements. In the last New york paper it is said a Spaniard spoke a 74 with 7 other ships of...
58To James Madison from William Jones, [ca. 28 September 1814] (Madison Papers)
I have been extremely uneasy for the fate of those vessels until the receipt of this. None but a seaman can appreciate the danger and hair breadth escape of this Squadron; and to continue or remain at all near the lower end of the Lake at this Season must in all probability end in the destruction of the fleet. Gen Brown has been most unreasonable in his expectation of Naval cooperation. RC (...
59To James Madison from William Jones, [21 December] 1813 (Madison Papers)
With anxious solicitude for the return of the Secretary of the Treasury which at the time of his departure was confidently anticipated in all the month of November I have forborne to reiterate the excessive pressure of the duties of the two Deptmts. however relieved in the details of the Treasury by the subordinate officers of that Depmt. until it has become intolerable by the interruptions...
60To James Madison from William Jones, 22 September 1813 (Madison Papers)
Be pleased to sign and transmit the enclosed transfer. It is intended to meet the 80,000 Drs. overdrawn per Second column of the Statement herewith enclosed. Very respectfully Your Obdt Servt RC ( DNA : RG 59, ML ). Enclosures not found, but see n. 1. The transfer stated that pursuant to the authority given the President by the act of Congress of 3 Mar. 1809, JM was directing that $60,000 of...